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A good and reliable airline travel agency unlocks more options and a wider range of services compared to what can be searched on the internet. Moreover, being able to converse with real people at a physical location is found to be more convenient and comforting to many flight customers. It is significant to know that in case any problems occur, there is a travel agency to help resolve the conflict.

Generally, anyone can claim to have travel agencies just by operating businesses. In the United States, it is said that the eleven states which demand business registration only call for filling out of a form and paying fees. With these, the bigger problem lies on which travel agency a customer can trust for the hassle-free experience when it comes to buying airplane tickets. This article will discuss the several factors that customers may consider in choosing the right airline travel agency.

Factors to Consider

The first factor to consider is the agency’s basic services. It is important to know about their hotline, the number of days they are open in a week, amateur or professional email addresses, as well as their internet connection. These are deciding factors so customers will know whether they can instantly reach the company after sending an e-mail or calling the company’s landline in just a minute or two.

After this, it is also recommendable to examine the size of the agency. However, bigger agencies are not necessarily better compared to the smaller ones. If the flight is intended for an individual or a family, a smaller agency might be more compatible. Conversely, if the flight being managed is for a group of a thousand people, then bigger agencies might provide better services.

Moreover, the reputation of the agency should also be noted. Being able to know what previous customers experienced with the agency and its services can build or break the trust of potential customers. Opinions of family members, relatives, co-workers, or friends who had past experiences with various agencies is a good start in choosing the right one.

The fourth factor is the agency’s speciality on a specific travel type. There are two types of travel – business and leisure. While all agencies might be willing to help, if a specific agency specializes on business travels rather than leisure travels, it is more likely that its services more corporate-focused. Customers need to keep this in mind and straightforwardly ask the agency about the primary travel type it can serve.

Lastly, the packages and promos offered by travel agencies can be a plus factor, especially to those with limited budgets. Comparing travel promos of various agencies can determine which one is the most affordable despite having the same set of services. Customers, however, should be aware that there are agencies with little or no background which are providing airfare prices which are too good to be true.

While trying to minimize costs, keep the tips and ideas stated above in mind before purchasing their airplane tickets. After deliberating, customers can then proceed to what they perceive to be the right airline travel agency for them.

Traveling to a foreign land is not as easy as it seems. You need to put a lot of planning and foresight to get it right each time, every time. There may be times when you have to find cheap flights and tickets and pack your bags at a moment's notice and for that you have to be keep yourself ready for any exigency. As a rule of thumb, try and avoid going to destinations that are ridden with drought, flood, civil strife or war, even it means skipping a few exotic destinations.

One of the first things that you should do is to scan all your important identity documents like passports, driving license and save them in your email account. These would prove to be very helpful in case of theft or loss of luggage. Take extra care of your luggage and your personal belongings. It would be wise if you keep your wallet and other personal documents in your hand luggage and not in your check in luggage lest it might get misplaced.

Carrying too much cash in person may not be a good idea. It would be much better to carry internationally valid credit cards and debit cards for purchases abroad as most of them come with a purchase protection warranty. Traveller's checks are also proven to be quite convenient for tourists. Convert and keep a substantial amount of local currency in your wallet as it will save you from the hassle of carrying wads full of cash.

Rising fuel costs have forced international air carriers to place restrictions on the amount of luggage passengers can carry. And therefore it is advisable not to carry too much luggage. Keep a lot of silk clothing as you can pack more in limited space.

Avoid taking jeans as they take too much time to dry or if you have some old clothes that you want to discard, you can take them along. This will ensure that you have more space in your suitcase for carrying return gifts and souvenirs back home. You can reward local people for the help they extend to you by gifting them the clothes that you don't want to wear anymore. They might love to have a few clothes in their wardrobe made of fabrics produced in a foreign land.

Once you land in your destination city, you should find out where the taxi stand is or better still arrange for a hotel pick up that will ensure that you don't get lost in an unknown city. Staying in a reputed guest house or star class hotels would help as that would ensure that you are not only secure but also get the best of food and comforts in an unfamiliar land.

Keep coming back to this page as we will give you more such handy tips in our next article. And you have some sexy travel tips that you would like to share with us, feel free to share them with us.

Air travel can be exhausting even for a fit adult and whether you believe it or not, after the heroic incident of 9/11, the airport securities, limitations in services and special requirements and expensive amounts have worsen the situation. Luckily, there are certain things that still keeping the traveling for senior travelers an easy and hassle-free task. However, to use them all, one must know about some of the best travel tips for senior travelers or people who are frequent on arranging traveling for their parents and elders in the family. So, here we are, escorting you through to the best tips to keep in mind before planning a travel for senior citizens in any part of the world:

1. Know your rights

To ensure a hassle-free and healthy transit during and before the flight, senior citizens especially above the age of 75 are entitled with some special rights. Senior passengers can ask for assistance at the airport to escort their luggage and wheelchair if have difficulty to walk. Also, the security checking by the TSA have been eased for senior citizens with some variations that helps the elders to go clean easily whilst keeping the flow of safety at its best. Senior citizens that are implanted with medical devices have different screening process to keep the process safe as well as keeping the security clearance easy for elders. Also, many airlines are now giving priority boarding to the senior citizens only after a simple request to avoid hassle during the regular boarding of flight.

2. Search for non-stop flights

A long flight with various hauls and changes of planes / airport is sufficient to make a regular healthy adult to become cranky and out of comfort. And when we speak of a senior traveler who has difficulties to sit down properly, walking a little extra or require assistance to even walk or climb the stairs shall travel in non-stop flights. Transit through non-stop flights eases the pressure on the body and mind of a senior citizen and gives them the ease to avoid any extra effort during their travel. Using the non-stop flights will also help to avoid regional jets. Maneuvering through the airport and security checks can be a difficult thing for senior travelers. So, it is highly advised to use non-stop flights as much as possible.

3. Look for senior travel discount offers

To encourage senior citizens to enjoy their lives more and explore the global destinations, both the airlines and travel agencies have begun to offer some hefty discounts on senior travel . Finding these discounts may seem to be a difficult task, but once you wrap your head around the concept, you can not only enjoy some great savings, but also can understand the special perks comes along with these kind of bookings. Signing-up for special offers from airlines as well as travel agencies will give you an edge to understand the best deals and destinations suitable as per your preference, travel trends and season conditions.

4. Arrange for every assistance required

Airports and airlines these days have become more careful to pamper the senior citizens and have sketched a wide range of extra perks for senior travelers. If you are a senior citizen yourself or a senior citizen from your family member who is planning on an air travel, make sure you make anything potentially required on the trip and promptly inform the airline to arrange those requirements. Most of the assistance like wheelchair, oxygen tanks, escorting guide, priority check-in and others are majorly available without any extra cost and all you need is to make your request during the booking or some days prior to the departure (based on the policies of the airline) to get the required assistance on time.

5. Carry essential things in carry-on luggage

Both the TSA and the airline have been giving the liberty to the senior citizens to carry their medicines and other supplies in their carry-in luggage as long as they are prescribed by an authorized doctor and are safe to keep in such delicate conditions while flying. If you have your elders flying to some destination and you get scare of baggage loss at the airport or have a hunch of first-aid requirement during the flight, always pack their necessary medicines, undergarments, tooth-brush, travel documents and more in the carry-on luggage to keep them safe and secured even after facing some serious baggage issues and promptly inform the airline about the situation.

Though, in the recent time, airlines as well as airport authorities have been keeping a tab on making the journey of a regular passenger much more delightful and bringing new reforms to keep the voyaging affordable as well as convenient, but if you have or you are a senior passenger, the requirement of those perks are even more important. Hence, it is really an important factor to know the best tips in order to make your voyage or a senior passenger's voyage as happening, healthy and convenience as possible. So, next time when you escort your elders for a vacation or a simple trip to some other part of the world / country / state, then make sure they know all the tips to voyage through their entire journey seamlessly.

Are you ready to take off for a vacation? Or at least looking into a vacation package or cruise? Thanks to online travel deals, it's easy for the ordinary traveler to find the best airline prices. There is no need to go through a travel agent these days. The tools for finding cheap air and hotels are right at your fingertips. In addition to search tools, there are plenty of resources available to help you get started.

Here are a few tips for getting the best deal on air:

Consider the season

Most locations have an on or off season. Even if it's not a popular tourist spot, there are certain times of the year when it's a bit more affordable to fly to that particular city. A few factors that play a role in airfare affordability to any given destination include weather, special events, business conventions, time of day and week, and the airlines themselves. Do research on the destination to find out when the prices tend to be lowest.

Just compare deals

It's really that simple. All you have to do is enter the destination city and travel dates at an online booking site and you will be presented with airline options from several different airlines. Use the "filter results" function to view the prices in either ascending or descending order. Don't like any of the results? Try different dates.

Look for coupons and promo codes

Sometimes the best airline prices can be obtained with the use of a promo code that can be redeemed at a particular travel site. You can sign up to receive newsletters that center around budget travel. There are "deal alert" apps as well. Some newsletters and apps will allow you to configure the settings so that you receive alerts only when cheap flights from your nearest airport (s) are available.

Always keep timing in mind

No matter where you want to go, timing is (just about) everything. While last minute deals are sometimes available, your options will be very limited. There are always risks involved with waiting for a last minute deal. Experts always recommend booking airfare in the range of 40 – 60 days in advance. If you absolutely must travel sooner than that and there isn't much room for flexibility, at least try to leave on either a Tuesday or a Thursday since prices tend to be a bit less when departing on these days.

Keep an eye on small print

Sometimes the best airline prices aren't always the cheapest. There are sometimes additional fees for things like baggage and cancellation. Depending on the airline, you might not even get free drinks and snacks. You'll especially want to read the fine print to learn about the cancellation policy. If there is no penalty for cancelling, keep monitoring ticket prices to see if you really can grab a better, last minute deal.

Where can you get all the wonderful travel deals? Where can you find the best airline prices ? It's always a good idea to start online; discounts at travel sites are some of the biggest. You'll also get all of the search tools you need for planning your own trip (and saving money in the process!)

Hopping on a plane to go anywhere seems to grow more complex every day. New security procedures and safety considerations trigger a never-ending parade of rules and regulations. This article, the final in a series of six, can help you through the maze. Be sure to collect the entire series.

Do you have trouble sleeping on an aircraft? Are you a nervous passenger? Pack some chamomile teabags in your carryon! Once the plane is in the air, ask a flight attendant for some hot water and steep a soothing cup of chamomile tea. It may help to lull you into a relaxed sleep.

If you have connecting flights, make sure that your luggage is tagged to your final destination. This will save you the hassle of collecting luggage, getting through security, and catching your connecting flight.

Rather than pay the steep fee for headphones, be sure to pack your own.

Avoid that lethargic feeling – take a brisk walk or work out in the gym before heading to the airport. You will arrive feeling refreshed and ready to face the jostling crowds at your destination.

Familiarize yourself with all the airport terminals you will be passing through during your trip. You can use the Internet to locate maps of airports. Study them a bit, and carry printouts with you while you travel. If you anticipate a time crunch between connecting flights, study the map carefully before you land so that you will know exactly where you need to go to catch the next plane.

Airport restaurant food is far superior to what is served on the aircraft. Eat in the terminal before you board and during delays between connecting flights.

Be conscious of where the emergency doors are located. Count the number of seats to the nearest exit so that you can find your way out in a smoke-filled cabin. Read the onboard information about safety procedures. Then relax! The chances of serious problems are very slim.

Try to get an advance seat assignment when you book your tickets. This will lower the likelihood of being bumped.

If possible, see if you can pack everything you need into one carryon. You will save time and bother, because you will be able to circumvent the checked baggage system (and the possibility of lost luggage).

If you take anti-nausea medication, do so the minute you buckle into your seat. The drug needs time to get into your system before it can be of any benefit to you. Waiting until you start to vomit is too late!

The most dangerous parts of any flight are take-off and landing. Try to book non-stop flights when possible. You save time and increase safety. Remember, though, compared to all other forms of travel, air is statistically the safest way to go.

If you wear contact lenses, dry air in the cabin can irritate sensitive eyes. You may want to switch to glasses while you fly. If you do opt to stick with your contacts, ensure that they are scrupulously clean and that you keep them lubricated.

Do not carry your tickets with you while you are out sightseeing and dining. They are important documents that should be treated with the same care you give your passport. If you do lose a ticket, report it immediately. It may take some time to replace, requiring you to pay for a second ticket up front (while you wait up to several months for a refund).

To help very young children with pressure changes during descent, encourage them to chew gum or suck on a soother (or thumb).

(c) Copyright Kathy Steinemann: This article is free to publish only if this copyright notice, the byline, and the author's note below (with active links) are included.

International Airlines Flight Booking offers booking information about the various international airlines operating flights throughout the world. Many of the international airlines offer online flight bookings for fliers. Flights can also be booked at any of the offices of these airlines. You can plan and book your flight in advance in order to avoid last minute rush and resulting hassles.

Iberia Air, one of the popular airlines of Spain, operates numerous scheduled flights to domestic as well as international destinations. The flights connect Spain with various countries like China, Egypt, India, USA, Brazil, UK, Cuba, Germany, France, Netherlands, Portugal, Canada, South Africa, Japan and so on. The flight bookings can be done online or from any of the offices of Iberia Air.

One of the largest airlines operating in Europe, Lufthansa Airlines offers flights to more than 80 countries worldwide. The flight destinations include all major world cities like Cairo, Johannesburg, Beijing, Tokyo, Seoul, Delhi, Lahore, Singapore, Pris, Berlin, Boston, Toronto, Buenos Aires, London,Barcelona and many others. Flight bookings can be done online or at the ticket offices.

British Airways, the flag carrier of the UK, is one of the significant international airlines operating from its main hubs at the London Heathrow and London Gatwick Airports. The flights operated by British Airways fly to destinations in Europe, America, Asia, Africa and Oceania. Flight tickets can be booked online as well as at any of the airline offices located across the globe.

Based in Mexico City, Mexicana Airlines is one of the prominent international airlines of Mexico. The international flights operated by Mexicana fly to destinations like British Columbia, New York, Quebec, Cuba, Chicago, Venezuela, California, Argentina, Texas, Florida and many others. The airlines offer online booking facilities as well as ticket offices throughout the world.

Offering details about Travel Tips – International Airlines Flight Booking proves to be a helpful guide for all fliers. So whether you are flying with Iberia Air or Mexicana Airlines, Lufthansa Airlines or British Airways, the information provides you necessary info.

Being responsible for the sales of thousands of flight tickets, Airlines prefer to provide exclusive fares to Consolidators. They get the fares from airlines on negotiated rates depending on their long term relations with them. Travel agencies seek Airline consolidator to ensure sufficient profit while giving attractive discounts to their customers. The diversity in travel field brought more air traffic that made the travel agencies spur the travel business in one way or another. The travel agents find airline ticket consolidators huge source to get their revenue increased. By getting in contact with airline consolidators, they can extend their flight bookings up to a great extent.

Let us take a shift ahead with a better understanding of airfare consolidators. They sell a bulk of airlines tickets by sourcing Discounted Fares from Airlines. They further pass the negotiated airfares to the travel agencies so that these agencies can add required markups while giving attractive discounts to their customers. The catch for travel agents here is to maintain the private fares below published fares and pass on to the customers that ultimately get lower fares than published fares. Purchasing the air tickets in bulk from airfare consolidators that already have their commissions set with airlines proved valuable to many of the travel service providers. The business is made flexible for both consolidators as well as the travel agencies. Consolidator fares make these travel management companies turn up the business by getting around 45% commissions on flight fares commonly.

Published and Private fares

A published fare is the same for anyone they are easily attainable through Airlines’ websites. However, the Unpublished airfares that are also referred to as private fares or consolidator fares, are offered to travel agencies or travel agents at a net price, that can be around 30-60% lower than regular airfares. That let travel agents earn great commissions which allow them to offer adequate discounts to their customers even after setting decent markups. Some of them wait for the time when they can get the maximum drop in price due to seasonal discounts.

We all know very well about the importance of online booking engines. Though a bug-free travel portal is a plus point still teaming up with the big airline consolidators for international fares can make a huge difference to travel businesses. With them, travel service providers get access to discounted airfare content across multiple GDS. Yes, earlier, they might be limited to a single GDS or two, but pairing up with leading airline consolidators, provides the best deals across multiple GDS. TMC(s) can expect a tremendous increase in their dividends by saving up to 60% on published fares with the help of airfare consolidators. In order to keep the graph high, these airline consolidators make good terms with Airlines by distributing private fares to various travel agencies in the act of selling more and more airline tickets. Thereby, travel entities can book the lowest fares across multiple GDS or non-GDS sources to present the best deals to customers.

Brings best deals for travel agents

Airline consolidators are capable of negotiating fares with airlines. Travel agencies that book fares for customers demanding seats in premium classes can make a healthy profit after purchasing the same on consolidator fares. Apart from that, travel agencies can buy airfares that are commonly booked depending on frequent regional traffic. The diversified airfare content by these consolidators allows them to save a huge amount on international fares. With this, travel management companies can book the right fares for customers with more attractive deals on holiday packages too. Teaming up with airline consolidators makes travel companies earn even more. As it allows them to access multi GDS content at a time. That helps them present nice deals to their customers while making enough profit for themselves.

Air travel today can be challenging, finding an affordable fare, a convenient travel time, even the right city to depart from or arrive at can be challenging. And of course the long lines at security just add to the stress.

When you arrive at your departure airport getting through multiple security checkpoints can be a hassle, constantly changing rules about how soon to get to the airport, how to check in, what you can carry on board etc. can all be confusing.

Being a frequent business air traveler, I have come up with the following tips to help you on your journey.

To find the lowest and most convenient fares – always book your travel at least 21 days in advance. Call ahead, or go to your airlines web site to find out how early you should be at the airport, international flights will require more time. Whenever possible go to your airlines web site to check in and print boarding passes. If you are changing planes print out all boarding passes, if you don't, you will have to go back through security to get a new boarding pass. If you only have a short time window, this could cause you to miss your flight. If you have already checked in via the airlines website, you usually do not have to check in at the airport check in counter. If you have bags to check, many airlines again have curb-side baggage check in, and / or they have self serve baggage check in kiosks. Using these services saves a lot of time and hassle. If you are unsure how to use the self serve kiosk, ask an airline employee, or another traveler who seems to know how it works. When in line for security, put all metal objects, keys, watches, coins, pens, money clips, belt buckles, cell phone etc. in a pocket of your carry on bag, even your shoes if possible, send that bag through the scanner, as you walk hassle free through the metal detector. If you are carrying a computer, be sure to take it out of the carrying case. I have my business card, taped to the top of my computer with duct tape for fast identification. If your business card has personal information on it, be sure to block that info out.